DHS Issues Proposed Rule Regarding Security at Chemical Plants

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) late last month issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to improve security at high-risk chemical facilities. Because many food and dairy processing facilities use anhydrous ammonia in their refrigeration systems, they may be considered chemical facilities under this rule.

Under the current proposal, chemical facilities fitting certain risk profiles would complete a risk assessment through a secure department website. After review, DHS will rank the facilities to determine which ones would be considered high risk and would require a site security plan.

Although most dairy facilities would not likely be considered high risk operations, the DHS Secretary has broad discretion for deciding what types of facilities fall into this category. IDFA plans to submit comments to DHS to ensure that the dairy processing industry is not unnecessarily swept into the scope of these regulations. Public comments are due February 7.

To link to the proposed rule, click here. For more information, contact Clay Detlefsen, vice president of regulatory affairs, at cdetlefsen@idfa.org or 202-220-3554.

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Posted January 8, 2007